My Furlough is Ending

TheBertie

Hi, hope you're all well in these uncertain times..
I was placed on furlough back in March, however I was recently informed that my furlough will be ending at the end of this month, with my final payment being at the end of September. Thankfully my job is still open but unfortunately working in the theatre industry there is currently no work for me, with no clear indication when I will be able to go back. I have been told that I'll be entitled to a statutory lay off payment, being £150 per month, which in no way would cover my rent and bills. I have looked for work in the meantime but the available opportunities are few and far between. I've tried to apply for benefits but the gov.uk website just sends me round in circles, and its all a bit confusing, especially with my job still being open. What options do I have? What have others done in my situation?
Any help would be a massive weight off of my mind..
Many thanks, Rob

sweetsand

Hi
Are you just looking for the type of work you do and if so, you need to look elsewhere.

Re benefits, i have no idea as I have never claimed but others will point you in the right direction
Before I move on, supermarkets at zero hours, fast food outlets at zero hours and delivery jobs going as
well as warehouse jobs but it depends on where you live

x

Mrsn

Have you tried the benefit entitlement calculators such as entitled to or turn2us? They will give you the answers as to whether you’ll be eligible for Universal Credit, If entitled this will also help towards your rent. I feel confident that based on the information you’ve given so far you should be eligible for it even with the £150 payment per month.

Speak to your local authority regarding your council tax as they have schemes that will be able to help with this and this is separate to universal credit.

p00hsticks

TheBertie said:

I've tried to apply for benefits but the gov.uk website just sends me round in circles, and its all a bit confusing, especially with my job still being open. What options do I have?

What benefits have you tried to apply for ?

The obvious one would be Universal Credit, but unless you were on a low wage to begin with I don't think you'd qualify at present whilst on furlough. You'd need to apply once you are laid off ( and - I think - wait until you've received your last lot of furlough pay, as receipt after you've claimed is likely to see the UC being reduced accordingly). You don't need to be unemployed to claim - it's designed to top up low wages. Note that UC is means tested so if you have over £16k in savings you won't qualify, I'm afraid.

Depending on your circumstances you could also look at council tax reduction (apply to the local council).

I'm sure the expert people over on the benefits board would be able to help further, but it would be helpful if you could give them more details about your individual circumstances (e.g. single or with a partner, whether the partner is earning, any children, renting or own property).

Edit: forgot to include a link over to the benefit board

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

nicechap

TheBertie said:

Hi, hope you're all well in these uncertain times..
I was placed on furlough back in March, however I was recently informed that my furlough will be ending at the end of this month, with my final payment being at the end of September. Thankfully my job is still open but unfortunately working in the theatre industry there is currently no work for me, with no clear indication when I will be able to go back. I have been told that I'll be entitled to a statutory lay off payment, being £150 per month, which in no way would cover my rent and bills. I have looked for work in the meantime but the available opportunities are few and far between. I've tried to apply for benefits but the gov.uk website just sends me round in circles, and its all a bit confusing, especially with my job still being open. What options do I have? What have others done in my situation?
Any help would be a massive weight off of my mind..
Many thanks, Rob

If you're in performing arts and enjoy talking to people, you might want to consider care work, always lots of hours available, 7 days a week to fit around your other commitments.  It can be very rewarding despite the low pay but it can also be heart wrenching when you see the state of the places some slum landlords house people in.

LeicesterWorker

Hi Rob,
Unfortunately, I found myself in a similar position in March, but without any furlough payments.
I was shocked t find out that after 20+ years of Income Tax and NI in a row, I qualify for no benefits.
There is some campaigning the House of Lords for UBI, if you agree with that.
You could also make your MP aware of your situation, as the benefits system is very unfair.
Goodluck.